To successfully encourage bees to accept plastic frames, you must either increase the material's appeal or limit the hive's alternatives. The most effective technical approach is to fill a honey super exclusively with plastic frames, leaving the bees no other choice but to utilize them. For added acceptance, you can also coat the frames with warm beeswax or mist them with sugar water prior to installation.
The core challenge with plastic foundation is the bees' natural reluctance to treat it as a buildable surface when other options exist. Success relies on removing the "choice" by using plastic frames exclusively in a super, or by masking the plastic surface with familiar organic materials like wax or sugar.
The Principle of Exclusivity
Eliminating the "Choice" Factor
The single most reliable method for ensuring acceptance is to use exclusively plastic frames within a specific super.
By filling the entire box with plastic frames, you remove the bees' ability to select a preferred substrate. Faced with no alternative, the colony will resign itself to working the plastic foundation to expand the nest or store resources.
Why Mixing Frames Fails
When apiarists attempt to "seed" a super by mixing plastic frames alongside foundationless or wax frames, the results are often poor.
Data indicates that when provided side-by-side options, bees generally choose to begin building comb on foundationless frames first. They will often ignore the plastic frames entirely or build irregular comb in the gaps between frames to avoid the plastic surface.
Enhancing Surface Acceptance
The Beeswax Coating Method
If you cannot use an exclusive arrangement, or if you simply want to speed up the drawing process, you can mask the plastic.
Brushing a new coating of warm beeswax onto the plastic foundation is highly effective. This layer provides a familiar texture and scent, tricking the bees into treating the plastic as a natural extension of their comb.
The Sugar Water Application
A simpler, though slightly less durable, technique involves using a liquid attractant.
Before installing the frames into the hive, spray the foundation with sugar water. This encourages the bees to clean and groom the frames immediately, increasing the likelihood that they will begin depositing wax as they work across the surface.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The Risk of Partial Adoption
Beekeepers often try to introduce plastic frames gradually, one or two at a time. This is technically the least effective approach because it triggers the bees' natural preference for non-plastic surfaces.
Relying on Factory Coatings
Plastic foundation often comes pre-waxed from the factory, but this coating can be thin or stale.
Relying solely on the manufacturer's coating without adding fresh wax or sugar water may result in a slower start. Bees are far more responsive to fresh, aromatic organic material than to dry, older wax.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure your colony draws comb effectively on plastic, align your technique with your management style:
- If your primary focus is guaranteed acceptance: Fill the super exclusively with plastic frames so the bees have no alternative material to choose.
- If your primary focus is accelerating comb building: Brush a layer of warm beeswax or spray sugar water on the foundation to stimulate immediate interest.
Ultimately, the bees will work plastic if they must, but they will work it faster if you make it feel and smell like their own home.
Summary Table:
| Technique | Action Required | Primary Benefit | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusivity Principle | Use 100% plastic frames in one super | Removes choice; forces bees to adapt | Highest |
| Beeswax Coating | Brush fresh, warm wax onto foundation | Provides familiar scent and texture | Very High |
| Sugar Water Mist | Spray foundation before installation | Stimulates immediate grooming behavior | Moderate |
| Avoiding Mixes | Do not mix plastic with wax/foundationless | Prevents bees from ignoring plastic | Critical |
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